Angular distributions of the decay B 0 → K * 0 µ + µ − are studied using a sample of proton-proton collisions at √ s = 8 TeV collected with the CMS detector at the LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 20.5 fb −1 . An angular analysis is performed to determine the P 1 and P 5 parameters, where the P 5 parameter is of particular interest because of recent measurements that indicate a potential discrepancy with the standard model predictions. Based on a sample of 1397 signal events, the P 1 and P 5 parameters are determined as a function of the dimuon invariant mass squared. The measurements are in agreement with predictions based on the standard model.
The details of a synthesis method for biologically relevant hydrated calcium pyrophosphates (CPPs, Ca 2 P 2 O 7 ·nH 2 O) has been elucidated. Control of the pH (from 3.6 to 5.8) and the temperature (from 25 to 90°C) during the synthesis enabled the preparation of four pure CPP phases within one hour without intermediates: monoclinic and triclinic calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD, Ca 2 P 2 O 7 ·2H 2 O), which are the two CPP phases detected in vivo in joints of arthritic patients, monoclinic tetrahydrate β (CPPT, Ca 2 P 2 O 7 ·4H 2 O) and an amorphous phase (a-CPP, Ca 2 P 2 O 7 ·nH 2 O). Four domains corresponding to the four different phases of hydrated calcium pyrophosphate were identified; a-CPP was synthesised over a very wide pH and temperature range (up to 90°C) within the domain of synthesis conditions explored, including physiological conditions (pH 7.4 and 37°C). The as-synthesised hydrated CPP phases were characterised by complementary techniques (powder X-ray diffraction, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetry) and chemical analyses. Rietveld refinement analyses of the as-synthesised crystalline phases were performed, and[a] CIRIMAT,
1. Tropical agroforests are diverse systems where several predator groups shape animal communities and plant-arthropod interactions. Ants, birds and bats in particular can reduce herbivore numbers and thereby increase crop yield. However, the relative importance of these groups, whether they interact, and how this interaction is affected by management and landscape context, is poorly understood. 2. We jointly manipulated access of ants, birds and bats in Indonesian smallholder cacao agroforestry across gradients of shade and distance to natural forest. We quantified arthropod abundance, pest damage and yield. 3. In control treatments, yield was highest under 30-40% canopy cover. Ant exclusion strongly reduced yield (from 600 to 300 kg ha À1 year À1 ) at 15% canopy cover. Bird exclusion impaired yield (from 400 to 250 kg ha À1 year À1 ) at 60% and enhanced yield (from 600 to 900 kg ha À1 year À1 ) at 15% canopy cover, while bats had no effect. Yield increased with forest proximity, a pattern not related to predator access. 4. No interactive effects among predator exclusions on yield, pest damage and arthropod communities were found. Ant exclusion increased numbers of herbivores below 30% canopy cover, without reducing spider abundances. Bird exclusion reduced herbivore and increased spider abundances. 5. Synthesis and applications. Using exclusion studies, we estimated that ants and birds cause cacao yield to vary between 100 and 800 kg ha À1 year À1 , depending on shade-tree management. In all but the most shaded agroforests, ants were pivotal in supporting yields. Yields under low-canopy cover were strongly dependent on access by predator groups, with birds reducing rather than increasing yield. Hence, cacao farmers should refrain from disturbing ant communities and maintain 30-40% shade-tree canopy cover not only for ecophysiological reasons but also to buffer variability in predator communities.
Bisphosphonates (BPs) are well established as successful antiresorptive agents for the prevention and treatment of bone diseases such as osteoporosis and Paget's disease. The aim of this work was to clarify the reaction mechanisms between a BP molecule, tiludronate, and the nanocrystalline apatite surface. The adsorption of tiludronate on well-characterized synthetic biomimetic nanocrystalline apatites with homogeneous but different compositions and surface characteristics was investigated to determine the effect of the nanocrystalline apatite substrate on the adsorption behavior. The results show that the adsorption of tiludronate on nanocrystalline biomimetic apatite surfaces varies over a large range. The most immature apatitic samples exhibited the highest affinity and the greatest amount adsorbed at saturation. Maturation of the nanocrystals induces a decrease of these values. The amount of phosphate ion released per adsorbed BP molecule varied, depending on the nanocrystalline substrate considered. The adsorption mechanism, although associated with a release of phosphate ions, cannot be considered as a simple ion exchange process involving one or two phosphate ions on the surface. A two-step process is proposed consisting of a surface binding of BP groups to calcium ions associated with a proton release inducing the protonation of surface orthophosphate ions and their eventual solubilization.
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